Aging in Style

The “Age in Place” movement has evolved into an “Age in Style” design concept considering the proliferation of high-end, universal products to keep an environment safe without looking institutional. From contemporary grab bars featuring sleek finish options to modern kitchen cabinetry customizable by height, national accessiblity expert Cynthia Leibrock has tried dozens of ideas in her Livermore home designed as a training center for implementing universal design techniques.

About half of the ideas cost less than $50, Leibrock says, while some others are more expensive because they are specific brands or were constructed out of higher quality finishes or materials. Here is a list of pricing for some of the favorite appliances and items Leibrock uses in her own home. Find more products and links on Leibrock’s website at: http://agingbeautifully.org/ranch.html

Frederick Cooper Lamps with a pressure switch that costs $5 for ease of use. To see a close up of the switch, go to http://agingbeautifully.org/ranch.html and scroll down to item No. 94.

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Here is a list of other innovative products for aging in place sent to the Home Girls’ email by DRS and Associates

ALNO Kitchen Cabinets These are available in seven height options and can be customized for accessibility and personalization. A lowered, 29-inch countertop is best for wheelchair accessibility, as are easy-to-use pull out drawers and semi-circular Lazy Susans. ALNO also creates cabinets that can accomodate low cook tops, side opening ovens, and bend free dishwashers for easy access. They suggest that when implementing a kitchen island cabinet, it should be curved to help shorten the workspace triangle, making appliances and tools easily attainable, while providing additional storage space.

Wall-Hung Toilets by Laufen: The Swiss bathroom specialist Laufen has created a line of wall-hung toilets from their designer collections, which merge high-end design with ADA-compliancy. Their wall-hung toilets from the Palomba Collection feature organic designs with the same curves as a pebble. When the height is adjusted they work within the guidelines set by the American Disability Act.

The Bath Stool by Sonia: The Bath Stool by Sonia: The bath stool from the City Collection brings safety and modern style into the shower stall. Offering a sturdy place to sit while bathing, the bath stool is an artistic deviation from the commercial versions on the market. While this product is not ADA-compliant, it enables enhanced safety and comfort while bathing.

Contemporary Grab Bars by JACLO: When installed horizontally, this collection of designer grab bars allows for the mount of one of their innovative handshowers by use of an adjustable slider cradle. This configuration allows for enhanced functionality and style in the shower. Each user can slide the handshower up or down to meet their exact height, which allows for ease of bathing for the wheelchair bound as well. Featuring modern lines and sleek finish options, this collection is not only ADA-compliant when installed properly, but is at the height of modernity in terms of shower solutions.

These are interesting and useful fixes to the physical problems of growing older. At the risk os being pedantic, if the problems are more serious such as being confined to a wheelchair or having to use a walker, then aspects of the house can be changed to facilitate that such widening doorways to 36 inches, lowering countertops and lightswitches, and adding in a ramp or wheelchair lift. These are typically not inexpensive fixes, but they can usually be retrofitted into an existing home. The work of changing our world to accommodate an aging population is important. I applaud your article about it.